I can't believe that it's already February! Thankfully, we are blessed on the Central Coast with nice weather while much of the country is in a deep-freeze with lots of precipitation. It would be nice if we could have some of this precipitation for drought relief here in California. Speaking of drought, GSCCC is planning to join a public awareness campaign, along with sister Girl Scout councils in California, focused on water conservation tips and more. Information to come.

There's lots of good news to share this month. First of all, we continue to exceed girl membership numbers in comparison to the same time last year. Thanks to our volunteers and staff for working so hard to bring Girl Scouting to more girls along the Central Coast.

Secondly, the Direct Cookie Sale pilot in Santa Barbara is exceeding expectations. A special shout-out to participating troops for the outstanding job with this pilot. In addition, the initial cookie order for all troops reported in the ABC system is five-percent higher than last year! Thanks to all - Girl Scouts and volunteers - for your efforts in this very important financial literacy program! When I attended Cookie University in Thousand Oaks, I had a great time interacting with everyone who attended that event. I worked at the Troops to Troops table, and being a former Naval Officer, it really touched my heart to assist Girl Scouts who penned short notes to accompany Girl Scout Cookies to our deployed servicemembers. I know personally how much this means to them to receive these special treats!

Next Friday is the Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting ceremony for our new Ventura location. Please check-out the details in this issue. We would love to see you on Friday, February 7, between 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm for the Grand Opening. The new Girl Scouts On-The-Go trailer will be on display which will be used to take programming to girls throughtout the council! We are very excited about this new resource for our membership. We will also have many specials in the Shop on Friday until 6:00 pm and on Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. In addition, February 7 & 8 is National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend, so we will have a cookie booth on site, and a radio promo from our new office during the Grand Opening event to promote the Girl Scout Cookie Program. In addition, the GSCCC Heritage Committee led by Janet Lunt will have a wonderful display showing Girl Scouting's rich history. Hope to see you all there!

I also ask you to join me in wishing Nancy Tillie, outgoing CFO, best wishes as she leaves the council to pursue a wonderful employment opportunity! Nancy's last day was January 31, and during her tenure at Girl Scouts of California's Central Coast, she dedicated her talents to serve the council and our members. Thank you, Nancy!

Once again, thanks for all you do for the Girl Scout Movement! It is a great time to be a Girl Scout!

Girl Scouts of the USA will mark the start of cookie season with an event in New York City, taking over Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal on Friday, February 7, 2014 to give New Yorkers their first taste of this year's cookies.

"Girl Scout Cookie Weekend is a great opportunity to share the fun and excitement of the Girl Scout Cookie Program," said Anna Maria Chávez, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA. "As we celebrate the 97th anniversary of Girl Scout Cookies, it's important to remember supporting the program helps girls build a lifetime of skills and confidence."

As part of their experience in various Girl Scout activities, girls can earn official Girl Scout awards at every level of Girl Scouting, including cookie and financial literacy badges and an annual Girl Scout Cookie Activity pin. In celebration of this special weekend, a brand-new National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend patch is now available in GSCCC council shops.

GSCCC will be celebrating National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend on February 8, 2014. GSCCC troops will be able to booth for one day only 2/8/14 at Yogurtland locations across the council. The locations and times are listed on SNAP booth scheduler for troops that would like to booth during National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend.

HELP GIRLS & ADULTS JOIN GIRL SCOUTS NOW AT YOUR COOKIE BOOTH During Cookie season, the public is more aware of Girl Scouts than any other time of the year. We want more girls and adults than ever before to experience the fun and excitement of Girl Scouts by joining now. You can help us spread the word by distributing fun "I Can't Wait To" cards and stickers during your Cookie Booth sale. Each Troop will receive instructions and 25 cards. Watch this video for more information and tips. www.girlscouts.org/recruitmentstickers

I CAN'T WAIT TO...INVITE-A-FRIEND to become a NEW GS VOLUNTEER GSCCC volunteers who recruit a friend to start a new K - 5th grade troop will be rewarded with a $50 discount code which can be redeemed at the GSUSA online store. The person you successfully recruit to volunteer will get free program materials, too! (Girls Guide, Journey Set, & Badge Pack) Be sure to watch your email for additional details.

You have from February 1-28 to earn your reward. Besides the $50 discount code and free program materials, the GREATEST BENEFIT of this offer is all the new Girl Scouts that we will be able to serve with the additional Troop Leaders you recruit. Questions? Contact Camille cjaque@girlscoutsccc.org

THE GIRL SCOUT LEFT HANDSHAKE Extend the left hand for the shake and make the Girl Scout sign with the right hand. The founder suggested a left handshake to recognize other members of the Movement, and it is still used widely. When asked to explain the origin, Baden-Powell related a legend told to him in West Africa: two hostile, neighboring tribal groups decided to try to live together in peace, and so they flung down their shields, which were carried on the left arm, and advanced, unprotected, to greet each other with their left hands extended in trust and friendship. In the USA, the Girl Scout handshake should be used when greeting other members, presenting awards, and at other times when a handshake would be appropriate. The GS handshake should be used to congratulate girls during a Gold Award Ceremony. It is a universal sign of the Girl Scout sisterhood.

ADULT AWARDS - DEADLINE FEBRUARY 20, 2014 Adult awards nominations are due to council no later than February 20, 2014. To nominate a volunteer, please speak to your local Service Unit Manager, or contact us directly at programs@girlscoutsccc.org. Information can be found on the GSCCC website in the Adult Awards section.

VOLUNTEERS REQUESTED for PROGRAM ADVISORY TEAMS We need you! Interested in joining a fun group of fellow volunteers, who love girl-led, engaging, fun and local program activities? Please consider serving on a regional Program Advisory Team. Parents, leaders, and older girls are invited to join. Meetings will be held alternately in person and via conference call once a month. Three teams will be established in the Northern, Central and Southern regions to better serve girls! Please send your interest and location to programs@girlscoutsccc.org

JOIN THE DAISY CHAIN New Daisy Leaders will receive a starter packet with easy instructions for the first four meetings. Ask Membership Managers or Service Unit Managers about the starter kit. When the packet is completed, new Daisy Troops will receive one Journey book of their choice.

BROWNIE CIRCLE New Brownie Leaders now have a starter packet, too! ...Just what the Brownie Elf ordered to be able to join the mix of Girl Scouts. Also, check out Quick Start on the GSUSA website for more ideas for new Daisy, Brownie and Junior troops. Questions? Contact Camille: cjaque@girlscoutsccc.org

DAISIES & BROWNIES

GOLDIEBLOX™ KITS AVAILABLE NOW

Fun kits will inspire the next generation of female engineers and help Daisies work on a journey and Brownies complete the inventor badge! Construction toys help girls develop spatial skills and get them interested in math and science. Check the GSCCC website, DIY KIT section for more info coming soon! . Watch this great video of what this tool and girls can do. Check out the GOLDIEBLOX commercial here.

JUNIORS, CADETTES, SENIORS AND AMABASSADORS

STILL TIME TO JOIN THE SAVANNAH TRAVEL TRIP - SUMMER 2014 C/S/A Sixth

grade Cadettes and above are invited to join the fun on an amazing journey! Experience the southern charm and architecture of Savannah, visit cool historical sites and the first Girl Scout Headquarters. Participate in the programs at Juliette Low's Birthplace. Girls will make new friends and lifelong memories! Visit GSCCC Travel for more information. Questions? programs@girlscoutsccc.org

GOLD AWARD UPDATES Updated documents have been added to the Gold Award page. All 2013-2014 information, including access to the new online application (Girl Scouts is going paperless), is now available on the Gold Award page

on the council website.

ALL PROGRAM AGE LEVELS

WINTER PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS The calendar is always evolving and being updated throughout the year with new and exciting program opportunities including:

THINKING DAY IS FEBRUARY 22, 2014! EARN THE WORLD THINKING DAY BADGESee details here as to how girls can earn this badge by grade level.

CELEBRATE THE ANNIVERSARY OF GIRL SCOUTS - MARCH 12, 2014There are many ways to celebrate the Anniversary of Girl Scouts. Talk about the history of Girl Scouts at a troop meeting, eat cupcakes, try something new; and troops can "Make Your Own Badge" or stand on your head like Juliette Gordon Low would do each year on her birthday! But whatever is planned, make it FUN! Check out other fun ideas and an interactive quiz on the GSUSA website.

WHAT IS A SWAP? The word "swap" has several meanings: Shared With A Special Person...Switch With A Person...and then there is "SWAPS": Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere. The idea of exchanging SWAPS became popular in the 50's when Senior Girl Scouts held big Roundups around the country. Girls would bring SWAPS to exchange and the idea has grown into a treasured Girl Scout practice. It's now tradition to exchange SWAPS whenever girls from different troops/groups meet locally, nationally and internationally at events like Thinking Day, Camporee's and Day Camps.

NATIONAL COOKIE WEEKEND is February 7-8, 2014! It is also the grand opening event for our new Ventura location. Both shop locations will have a prize wheel, where you can spin for a chance to win Girl Scout items. Everyone is a winner, so please visit! National Cookie Weekend patches are available for purchase for $2.50 each, along with many other cookie related items.

COOKIE BOOTH-IN-A-BAG: We have a limited quantity of these bags available in both shops. If you purchase prior to February 7, a council staff member will personally deliver your order to the cookie pick-up. The bags are $40.00 plus $3.00 tax. The Cookie Booth-in-a- Bag contains all of the items you need to make your booth and car stand out: Re-usable tote bag, cookie car magnet, GSCCC tablecloth, 24" x 36" yard sign, window marker, crepe paper and balloons. Items are not available for purchase separately, but are not dated, so they can be used year after year. Please contact Rebecca Jones at rjones@girlscoutsccc.org or 800-822-2427 x 9782 to place your order, while supplies last!

COOKIE SHIRTS are on backorder and are due at the end of February. We apologize for this inconvenience. Pre-ordered shirts will be mailed out as soon as they are received at our shops.

THINKING DAY is February 22, 2014. If your Service Unit or troop is planning an event, please plan ahead and order your patches now. Patches are $1.25 each.

No time to visit our shops? Everything can be found on the council online shop Look for GSCCC council's own items to be available through the website soon.